Browsing by Author "Shikha Verma"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6

Assessing the accuracy of different Z-R relationships for Doppler Weather Radar based rainfall estimation: A comparative study for the Delhi region
(Elsevier Ltd, 2025) J. Sharma; Arpita Rastogi; Shikha Verma; Gajendra Kumar; Arti K. Choudhary
Z-R relationships are the most used methods for calculating rainfall using radar reflectivity, which provide a relation between the radar reflectivity (Z) to rainfall rate (R). However, different Z-R relationships may yield varying rainfall estimates depending on regional climatic conditions and radar characteristics. This study presents a comparison of various Z-R relationships (Marshall-Palmer (Z = 200R1.6), WSR-88D (Z = 300R1.4), and Rosenfeld tropical (Z = 250R1.2)) for the Delhi radar station for 2019. The study was performed for four seasons (Winter, Pre-Monsoon, Monsoon, and Post-monsoon) as well as for different rainfall intensity (Light, Moderate, and Heavy rain). The accuracy of each relationship was evaluated using statistical variables such as correlation coefficient (R), RMSE, MAE, Bias and NSE. Results indicate significant variability in rainfall estimation across different relationships. The Marshall-Palmer encompasses the best correlation with rain gauge data during the monsoon and post-monsoon, whereas the Rosenfeld Tropical exhibits the strongest correlation for the winter and pre-monsoon. Additionally, Rosenfeld Tropical has a strong correlation for moderate and heavy rainfall intensity, whereas Marshall Palmer offers a satisfactory correlation for light rainfall intensity. However, Marshall-Palmer offers the best performance for the overall dataset with R = 0.623, RMSE of 13.44, and MAE = 10.07, as well as the lowest RMSE for all seasons and rainfall intensity. These findings highlight the significance of selecting a correct Z-R relationship for accurate rainfall estimation in diverse meteorological conditions, and underscore the need for localized calibration of Z-R parameters for enhanced forecasting accuracy in the Delhi region. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd.
HIV/AIDS stigma, perceived social support and mental health problems among HIV/AIDS children: a mediation analysis
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2023) Varsha Singh; Anupriya; Shikha Verma; Swaran Lata
Extensive research on HIV/AIDS stigma is conducted on adults, but it cannot be equated with the experiences of children. This makes it obvious to develop an inclusive research on child experience of HIV/AIDS stigma. For that reason, the present study investigates the relationship among HIV/AIDS stigma, perceived social support and mental health problems in HIV/AIDS children. A sample of 90 HIV/AIDS children aged 10–18 years from Moti Lal Nehru Hospital, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, were recruited. Participants were assessed on HIV/AIDS stigma, perceived social support and mental health problems. Descriptive statistics, correlational and regression analysis and mediation analysis were performed to accomplish the purpose of the study. Correlational analysis makes it evident that perceived social support is prominently negatively correlated with HIV/AIDS stigma (r (88) = −.670, p < 0.01) whereas mental health problems (r (88) = .753, p < 0.01) was significantly positively correlated with HIV/AIDS stigma. Taking hierarchical regression analysis into consideration, it was found that the perceived social support significantly contributed to 33.2% variance in HIV/AIDS stigma and HIV/AIDS stigma contributed to 45.9% variance in mental health problems. Results of the mediation analyses validate the mediating role of HIV/AIDS stigma in the association between perceived social support and mental health problems (β = −0.27, CI = −.33 to −.034, p = .017). These findings contribute to empirical evidence about psychological predictors and the observable consequences of HIV/AIDS-related stigma. © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Perceived social support in relation to psychosocial distress and hope among hiv/aids orphans and non-hiv/aids orphans
(Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 2018) Shikha Verma; Swaran Lata
The present study examined the relationship between Perceived Social Support (PSS), Psychosocial Distress and Hope among HIV/AIDS orphans and non-HIV/AIDS orphans. The sample of the study consisted of 236 orphans, (116 HIV/AIDS orphans and 120 non-HIV/AIDS orphans) living in north Indian orphanages. The mean age of HIV/AIDS orphans was 11.98 years and SD 1.97 years, while the mean age of non-HIV/AIDS orphans was 11.78 years, and SD 1.64 years. The tools employed for the present study were PSS Scale for children, Psychosocial Distress Scale for children and Hope Scale for children. Results indicated that PSS from friends, teachers and family significantly and negatively correlated with psychosocial distress and significantly and positively correlated with hope. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that PSS from friends and family significantly contributes to variance in psychosocial distress and hope for the HIV/AIDS orphans. PSS plays a protective role in dealing with psychosocial outcomes of HIV/AIDS orphans. Strong perception of support from caretakers, siblings, school teachers, school principal, friends, and others may reduce the deleterious effects of exposure to illness, psychosocial distress and increase hope among HIV/AIDS orphans and non-HIV/AIDS orphans. © Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology.
Perceived social support of HIV/AIDS orphans: a review
(Routledge, 2015) Shikha Verma; Swaran Lata
HIV/AIDS orphans are a vulnerable and disadvantaged group. The HIV/AIDS orphans’ crisis is an emerging problem of developing societies. Existing research, literature, and findings on perceived social support (PSS) of HIV/AIDS orphans in the world till date have been compiled with the aim of presenting the current status of research, major findings, and gaps in this area. A thorough review of published empirical studies from PubMed, PsycINFO databases, online publications of several organizations, web searches, and several online journals related to PSS of HIV/AIDS orphans have been reviewed. HIV/AIDS orphans from 6 to 18 years, whose either or both parents had died due to HIV/AIDS or were staying with HIV-positive parents were selected for this purpose. Six out of eight studies found low level of PSS in HIV/AIDS orphans and two studies found peer-group intervention very effective to improved PSS in HIV/AIDS orphans. They severely experience negative emotions, behavioral problems, higher levels of psychological difficulties, and poor academic performances due to the reasons like drawn out-of-school, living with an unaffectionate caretaker, inadequate care, child labor, physical and sexual abuse, stigma, and discrimination. The psychological health of HIV/AIDS orphans is at risk, and prevention and intervention efforts are missing for improving their psychological outcomes. The review recommends that a rigorous research needs to be prioritized so that the programs and policymakers that are attempting to work for their well-being may get helpful information to design evidence-based interventions. © 2015 Taylor & Francis.
Radiological Study on Sexual Dimorphism from Cranio - Facial Indices in Eastern Uttar Pradesh Population
(Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 2024) Khushveer Rathore; Deepa Durga Roy; Ashish Verma; Kenchok Ongmu Bhutia; Shikha Verma
Introduction: Morphometric factors are key in determining age, sex, and stature in forensic investigations, particularly for skeletal remains. Radiography aids in sex determination using sexually dimorphic traits, though accuracy improves with larger datasets across diverse population groups. Aims and Objectives: To determine various measurements and indices, namely Kollmann upper facial Index, Nasal Index, and Orbital Index, and assess sexual dimorphism in the available data. This information could be incorporated for future meta-analyses of the Indian population, and databases can be created from different regions to obtain averages. Material and Methods: In this study, 477 samples were included from Varanasi region, with ages ranging from 16 to 82years after applying exclusion criteria. The volume-rendered images of the face obtained from a CT scan machine were examined using Radiant DICOM software to obtain relevant data. Six measurements were taken into consideration: orbital height, orbital breadth, nasal height, nasal breadth, Kollman's upper facial height, and bizygomatic breadth. From this data, three indices were derived. Result: The overall accuracy in predicting sexual dimorphism is 89.2%. Among the indices, the Kollmann upper facial indexhas the highest accuracy at 69.2%, followed by the Nasal index at 60.8%, and the mean Orbital index at 57.0%. Among the measurements, the highest accuracy is for Bizy gomatic breadth at 79.5%. The most common type of nose in this study is Hyper chamaerhinae, the most common type of face is Lepten, and the most common type of orbit is Hypsiconch. Conclusion: This data will be useful for future purposes in creating reference values for the stated parameters. Further extensive research with a larger sample size and longer duration would yield more reliable data. © 2024, Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. All rights reserved.
Unveiling Maxillary Sinus Sexual Dimorphism: A Computed Tomography Analysis of North Indian Population Across Age Groups
(Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 2024) Deepa Durga Roy; Ashish Verma; Kenchok Bhutia; Khushveer Rathore; Shikha Verma
Introduction: The examination of male and female anatomical distinctions has been a subject of considerable interest in diverse scientific domains. This research seeks to explore sexual dimorphism within the North Indian population by evaluating the maxillary sinus dimensions assessed through computed tomography (CT) imaging. Materials and Method: CT scans of 300 individuals aged between 05-85 years underwent precise measurements of bilateral maxillary sinus which included length, width, height, area,perimeter and volume. Intra observer and interobserver tests were conducted to assess measurement reliability. Statistical analyses were applied to investing atepotential variations in these measurements based on sex. Results: The study revealed significantly higher maxillary sinus measurement values in males. Cross-validationd emonstrated 65% correct classification in males and 71.4% in females, with varying accuracy across age groups and different parameters. Conclusion: This research emphasizes on the utility of maxillary sinus in sex determination and finds maxillary sinus volume to be the best parameter. © 2024, Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. All rights reserved.